The Belleville Senators came from behind to win a battle of the top two teams in the American Hockey League’s North Division by beating the Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres) 3-2 in overtime on Wednesday night.
The win also extends the B-Sens’ lead over the Amerks to eight points.
Josh Norris continued his torrid pace by getting in on all three of Belleville’s goals, scoring the game tying marker and the game winner, while assisting on one by Vitaly Abramov as well.
Joey Daccord made 27 saves in the win for Belleville, only allowing goals by Jean-Sebastien Dea and Jacob Bryson, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen only faced 18 shots, stopping 15.
Dea’s game-opening goal came just under 5:00 in when Daccord lost sight of a puck in the crease and he tapped it in for his 15th of the season.
The Amerks would double their lead at 10:56 of the second, on Bryson’s first pro goal, as he finished off a two-on-one rush with Rasmus Asplund.
Dea earned the second assist on the play that gave Rochester a two-goal lead after two periods.
Belleville Senators defenceman Erik Brannstrom gets chased behind the net, during a game against the Rochester Americans at Blue Cross Arena, on February 19, 2020. (Photo” Micheline V / Rochester Americans)
But Belleville would answer back in the third.
Rudolfs Balcers got the puck into the Rochester zone and knocked a backhand pass off to Norris on the left side, with the rookie using his vision to find Abramov following up on the play on the right wing.
Abramov one-timed home the Norris pass for his 18th of the season, to cut the lead to 2-1.
Belleville tied the game with under 5:00 left in regulation after Jordan Murray’s low point shot bounced off of Balcers and then Norris, past Luukkonen to force overtime.
It took just 1:12 of the extra frame for Norris to end it with his 30th goal of the season,
He won a race to the puck at the Rochester blue line, carried the puck into the near circle and fired a low shot between the legs of Luukkonen, to give Belleville its 21st win away from home in 28 games.
Belleville Senators defenceman Jack Dougherty gets body position on Rochester’s Dalton Smith, during a game at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, on February 19, 2020. (Photo: Micheline V / Rochester Americans)
Norris says his team continues to be confident even when trailing late in games.
As far as his individual success and hitting the 30 goal plateau in his rookie season, Norris says he’s been more focused on finding success, without setting specific goals.
Belleville returns home for two games this weekend, first facing the Utica Comets (Vancouver Canucks) on Friday night, before welcoming the Manitoba Moose (Winnipeg Jets) on Saturday.
800 AM CJBQ has coverage of both games starting at 6:50 p.m., for Eastern Overhead Doors and Deerhaven Farm and Garden.
You can click here to read the box score from Wednesday night and see highlights from the game below.
